There’s a lot of noise these days about justice, social justice movements, hashtags, protests, and causes that pull people in every direction. And while many of these come from a place of wanting to do good, they don’t always line up with what the Bible says about justice. That’s why it’s worth asking: is there a difference between biblical justice vs social justice? And does it really matter?
Absolutely it does.
What God Says About Justice
Micah 6:8 lays it out plain as day:
“He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Biblical justice isn’t a trendy add-on to our faith, it’s at the very heart of God. It’s not about shouting the loudest or picking a political side. It’s about living a life that reflects God’s love for the poor, the broken, the marginalised, and the forgotten.
Us vs Them? Not in God’s Kingdom
Unlike the world’s version of justice, which can sometimes divide people into “us vs them”, biblical justice always calls us back to relationship, first with God, and then with one another. It’s not driven by rage, but by mercy. Not powered by pride, but by humility. And most of all, it points people to Jesus, not just a better society.
That doesn’t mean we stay silent about injustice or sit on the sidelines. Quite the opposite. Christians are called to be deeply involved in the pain and mess of the world. But we do it differently. We don’t just fight for change, we carry hope. We don’t just campaign, we serve. And we don’t just raise awareness, we raise the name of Jesus.
When we live this way, our idea of justice becomes more than just talk. It becomes a testimony.
And here’s the kicker…evangelism and justice aren’t opposites. They’re mates. In fact, sharing the Good News of Jesus often opens the door to acts of justice. And showing true, sacrificial love can lead people to ask the very best question: “Why are you doing this?”
Living Out God’s Heart for Justice
In the end, biblical justice isn’t about fitting into someone else’s agenda, it’s about stepping into God’s. It’s not performative or political; it’s personal, practical, and powerful. As followers of Jesus, we’re not just called to talk about justice but to live it out…humbly, kindly, and courageously. The kind of justice that doesn’t just tick boxes but touches lives. The kind that opens hearts to the gospel.
If you’re wrestling with how to bring together faith, justice, and mission in a noisy world, you’re not alone. There are voices in the Church today who are doing just that and doing it well. You can hear some of them share their heart and stories in our recent episode.
Listen to the Voices of Fire – The Ultimate Social Justice and Evangelism Roundup.
Share your stories of evangelism on our social media (Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn), listen to The WIN WIN Evangelism Podcast, or email us at team@evangelisminaustralia.com.
